Insights into the deep geothermal potential from heat in place calculations of the Berlin/Brandenburg region (Germany)

In geothermal exploration, regional 3D geological models, covering the full extent of a sedimentary basin, can be an efficient basis to assess spatial variations in the deep thermal field and related extractable energy. The term “geothermal potential” has been defined in different ways, considering characteristics of an intended geothermal plant and/or the geological reservoir. In this contribution, we concentrate on the latter geological aspects and combine 3D geological with 3D thermal models of the Berlin/Brandenburg region to assess “heat in place” as a quintessential part of the geothermal potential of differently composed geological units.

Our “heat in place” calculations correspond to a volumetric quantification of contained energy distributed across a series of litho-stratigraphic units showing variable thickness, mean temperature, porosity, density, and specific heat capacity. We set special focus on estimating how the calculated heat varies between different thermal models, derived from either purely conductive heat transport or coupled thermal-hydraulic simulations.

As part of the Northeast German Basin, the Berlin/Brandenburg region is known to be potentially suitable for deep geothermal energy exploitation. As this source of energy is not well-established yet, while energy demand from renewables is increasing in the metropolitan area of Berlin, this study aims at contributing to a more efficient decision making on promising sites for geothermal energy production by means of a series of new geothermal potential maps.